AU, NRC sign agreement on conflict prevention
April 28, 2013 (ADDIS ABABA) – The African Union and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) have signed an accord seeking to assist the latter’s activities in conflict-affected regions, through humanitarian aid.
The agreement, according to a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, will grant the Norwegian body an opportunity to access refugees and internally displaced persons in AU member states, including South Sudan.
The two signatories, as part of the agreement, agreed to work together to strengthen the rights of the displaced in AU member states, including supporting the implementation of the Kampala Convention for the protection of internally displaced.
Africa, Brekke said, currently houses four million refugees and more than twice the numbers of internally displaced persons.
“With support from the AU, we can reach even more of these people,” said the senior NRC official.
“In addition, we appreciate being able to cooperate with the AU on supporting implementation of the Kampala Convention, a ground-breaking new legal framework which binds governments to protect and assist internally displaced persons,” she added.
Meanwhile, Aisha Abdullahi, the AU Commissioner for political affairs, stressed the strategic importance of partnering with the NRC
“The scourge of forced displacements in Africa requires a consolidated effort. Therefore, the signing of an MOU with the Norwegian Refugee Council goes a long way in solidifying their joint efforts towards alleviating the suffering of victims of conflicts and disasters in Africa”, she said in a statement.
NRC has in the past, engaged in similar strategic relationships with other actors such as UNHCR, but it is the first time it entered into an agreement with a regional body.
“Our emergency roster’s effective cooperation with the AU, as well as our increased activity in several locations in Africa, particularly the Horn of Africa, has probably played an important role for the AU’s desire to raise our cooperation to a strategic level,” Abdullahi stressed.
I think this partnership will be important and gratifying for both the AU and the Norwegian Refugee Council, she added.
Odd-Inge Kvalheim, Norway’s ambassador to Ethiopia, welcomed the new agreement, reiterating his country’s commitment in the field of humanitarianism.
“To reach these ambitions, we need professional Norwegian organisations that are able to make a difference. We are therefore glad that we have been able to support NRC in their work with establishing close relations to the AU,” said.
(ST)